Indspire Me

Interview by Gehna Sharma

Intrepid, undeterred and unabashed are some of the words that can be used to describe this versatile and multi-talented artist originally from Jammu and Kashmir who has been taking the world of theatre by storm with his latest corporate comic thriller called Ideation. Sunny Moza is a full-time working professional based in the Bay Area who also happens to be the second cousin of Kunal Khemu, a Bollywood star. Here are bits from a candid interview with America’s ‘best desi MC’.

1.How did you find your calling in stand-up comedy? Was it a particular moment which led to the awakening or was every step of the way taking you towards this tryst with destiny?

I was kind of ‘thrown’ into standup comedy during my college days. There was a prestigious intercollegiate event where each college had to perform for about 20 mins. Since I was the funny guy, my college seniors asked me to cover a 3-4 min slot with my imitation of Bollywood actors which I happily agreed to. However, a couple of days before the event, I was told that our other acts had backed out, and I had to cover the entire 20 min. slot. I was terrified. I went home and listened to the tapes of a few comedians on repeat mode over the next 2 days and changed their content to suit my style. When I did the trial of my content on a few of my friends the morning of the event, nobody even smiled. I didn’t know what to do. I went to my mom for her blessings, and she said, “Don’t worry, you’ll be amazing.” And that’s exactly what happened. I don’t remember the details, because I went into this zone during my performance, but every single person in the auditorium was laughing for the entire 20 mins. It was a surreal experience. After that, I did a few more acts in colleges and private events though it was very nerve wracking every single time.

2. To most of your contemporaries, it’s one of the biggest challenges to keep coming up with new content every time. Your effortless on stage presence always wins over the audience. However, how often do you struggle to come up with a rib-tickling script for your gigs?

Everybody has jokes and anecdotes. The challenge is to weave them into your act. That struggle is never going to go away. Never! I’ve been very fortunate to get a lovely audience most of the time. But standup comedy is not easy.

3. In one of your opening acts for Amit Tandon, you candidly said that you would never become ‘rich and famous’. How does it feel to look back at your journey after all these years? After all, you have managed to make a name for yourself in almost every aspect of films. If these achievements do not describe success then our notions of success need revamping.

For me, if you are content with your life overall then you are successful. I’m just very grateful for all that I have and all that I don’t.

4. They all say, ‘behind every successful man, there are strong women’. Who are these women in your life and how has their presence made you into the person that you are today?

SM: This is probably one of the best questions and also one of the easiest for me. Growing up, my mom was a big influence on me. She was my guru, my guide and my support. She made sure I was excellent at my studies and completed my Master’s Degree. She shaped me into who I am today. More recently, it’s been my wife, Nidhi, who has assumed a very similar role in my life – encouraging and supportive.

5. Bollywood has been taken over by the next generation of actors and celeb kids all vying to make their presence felt. They get immense leverage from influential contacts in the industry. You are also related to one such name but do not brag about it and look determined to continue with your endeavours in the stand-up comedy scene. What drives you to take the less beaten path each day and stay grounded?

I believe that we all have our own paths and destinations. And life is not a race. We will get what we are supposed to. If you are fortunate enough, you will find your calling and get to make it a part of your life. About staying grounded, if celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Barack Obama, Shahrukh Khan, Bill Gates can stay humble, what have we achieved in comparison to have any attitude?

6. Of all the milestones you have achieved including the Audience Choice Award, the Diamond Director Award and the Best Event Anchor Award, what do you consider as your greatest achievement?

I have had some great moments while interacting with the audience, be it during hosting a show, acting or after standup comedy. I still can’t forget this one particular incident. Mahendra uncle, who I had ‘met’ only twice – once after one of my plays and once after one of my standup comedy shows. He was full of energy and always encouraged good talent. When he was on his death bed, I was one of the people he wanted to meet before he left his body. I went to meet him and cracked a joke or two. He laughed, and I felt very grateful and honoured.

7. How would you describe yourself as a dog parent? In the Instagram uploads, you seem like the obsessive yet fun, loving kind of pet owner who wouldn’t miss a single chance to hype their adorable looks with candid shots.

Wow, you have done some good research on me. I appreciate that. I got this puppy as a birthday gift from my wife, Nidhi, and she named her Leone. And I love her (Leone, of-course). 😉 Dogs teach you a lot and bring amazing energy to the house. I’m happy to have Leone in my life – she’s adorable and is always ready to play. Both my wife and I want Leone to be disciplined, and Nidhi works a lot on training her.

8. You seem to be working against the clock with your full-time job as a professional engineer and your busy schedule of radio jockeying, hosting events and theatre acting. How do you make time for fitness and manage to look the way you do?

Thank you, I’ll take that as a compliment. I can say that I wake up early, go to the gym 5 days a week and watch what I eat, but that won’t be true. But I wish I could do all that. Between the full-time job, the entertainment gigs and all the travel associated with it, making time for fitness is not easy. I do what I can. Maybe being a vegetarian is helping me.

9. What are your plans for the future? Are we going to see you debut in a Bollywood film any time soon?

I hope so, too. I’m reading a script currently so we’ll see. I’ve never planned much, and I’ve never complained much. So, it’s all good. My upcoming project is going to be the worldwide release of my Kannada feature film, BABRU, which is almost done with the post-production.

10. What message do you have for every twenty something year old out there still letting self-doubt get the best of them and not letting them realise their dreams?

If you’ve figured out what you love doing, you are very fortunate, pursue it. If you’ve not yet found your calling, don’t stress. Life has a plan for everybody. But keep going, have gratitude, and just do it! Readers can check out my website or Facebook page to stay connected with me and ask any further questions.

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About the Interviewer:

If I got a dollar for every time someone would call me “jewellery” instead of my actual name, Gehna, I would be rich enough to tour the outer space with my family. I live in Noida, although mentally in 18^th century English countryside, on a large estate, with five whimsical sisters and half a dozen cats. Well, I actually study economics at USME, Delhi Technological University and my friends will tell you that I make the best Oreo cheesecake brownies in the world.

I am your average Punjabi girl who’s never going to miss a single chance to attend family weddings. My latest obsession is with Punjabi music and my ability to listen to Punjabi wedding songs on repeat and dance to them is going to amaze you. A firm believer in the therapeutic power of shopping, I like to think that in another universe I am a crown princess of a small province with an over indulgent fairy godmother. One day I wish to own a small chateau in the French countryside, but before that I want to travel across all the seven continents.